First Annual Deerfield Beach Food & Wine Festival

I was really looking forward to attending the first event for the Deerfield Beach Food and Wine Festival.  Unfortunately, the beginning and end of the festival were not desirable but there were some high points.  Nothing that can’t be improved upon during next year’s event!

The event staff seemed to be unorganized and the gates didn’t open until about 20 minutes after the festival was to start.  Once we were in, we were told to take a plate and wine glass and that we were to keep them throughout the event.  The restaurants that participated were all lined up along each side.  In the middle there were high top tables sporadic throughout.  

There were 40 different restaurants that took part included the French Quarter Bar & Grill, La Stella’s Italian Restaurant, BT’s Ocean Front Grill, Oceans 234, Bella Cibo, JB’s on the Beach, Lilly’s, The Whale, Muddy Waters, Lola, Ruth Chris, Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant, Casa Maya Grill, Biondo’s Pizza, Tamarind, Wave 2700 and the Social Cupcake… just to name a few!

There was a great mix of tasty treats to try.  Beer and cheese soup in a bread bowl, Crawfish, Seafood Paella, Pulled Pork Sliders, Crab cocktails, Sweet Potato Tartlet’s, Spicy Tuna Tartar, Bruschetta, Chicken Marsala, an assortment of Cheesecakes, gourmet cupcakes…the list can go on and on!

There were many different artisan wines, prosecco and beers to sample.  There was also a vodka bar which my dear friends especially enjoyed!!  There was a retail market where you could purchase fresh herbs, olive oils, wine decanters…a variety of unique products that you could take home with you.

The heat was intense so my friends and I decided to walk over to The Cove to have a cocktail and cool down. We sat there for about an hour then headed back to the event…This was around 6:30 I would say.  The food was scarce and they ran out of wine.  The event was not to end until 8:00pm.  My guess is that the organizers didn’t realize the potential turn out and therefore didn’t accommodate accordingly.

I personally think that for the first annual event, all in all it was a great success!